Opposition slams presidential reference against CJP

Main opposition parties on Friday strongly condemned the move by President Musharraf to file a presidential reference against Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on charges of misuse of authority.
Leaders of Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) recording their reaction to Business Recorder said it was a 'black day' in the country's history in general and for the judiciary in particular.
"I have no doubt in my mind the reference against the Chief Justice has a malafide intention," remarked Naveed Qamar of PPP, saying it was yet another 'black day' in the country's history marred by such decisions. "It is a power play and unconstitutional move. This will have very dangerous implications for the country," the PPP leader warned.
Earlier in the day, President Musharraf filed the reference under Article 209 of the Constitution, accusing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of misusing his authority. It has now been referred to the Supreme Judicial Council, which would give its opinion on the charges levelled against the Chief Justice.
Naveed Qamar said the government was perturbed over the 'bold judgements' the Supreme Court had given under the suspended Chief Justice. He particularly mentioned the verdict against the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills. "It is also obvious that the government was anticipating more such judgements on key issues, including on missing persons and that was the reason he removed from the top judicial post," he lamented.
"How many charges are pending against the government. Did government talk about that," he questioned. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Liaqat Baloch termed the decision 'as politically motivated and direct attack on the judiciary.' The President filed the reference to perpetuate his 'unconstitutional rule' but it would be a disaster for the country, Baloch feared.
Khawja Asif of PML-N said, "Our judiciary has been seeing tough times throughout but this is the worst scenario." He predicted that the impact of the development would be like a 'snowball' and it would engulf the government too. "This situation has taken a dramatic turn and I guess this would now be a top issue at the planned multi-party conference in London," the PML-N leader disclosed.
Leader of the House in the Senate Wasim Sajjad defended the move and argued that the Constitution did allow filing of such reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Another government Parliamentarian, Senator Khalid Ranjha rejected the criticism of opposition parties, saying the move was part of holding higher judiciary accountable. "If other institutions of the country are accountable then why not higher judiciary," he contended.